It’s actually happening: Bunk beds are coming to the sky for economy passengers.
Air New Zealand will soon offer what it calls the Skynest, a pod of six beds bunked three high on each side. The beds flank a ladder and are bookable in blocks of time for napping on select long-haul flights.
Travelers will soon find Skynest on two of the airline’s Dreamliners that will operate ultra-long-haul flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Auckland Airport (AKL).
The price? $495 for a four-hour block of time.
If this sounds familiar, it may be because Air New Zealand, which has been the first with a number of inflight innovations (including the Skycouch, which has now been licensed to United Airlines as its forthcoming Relax Row), has been working on Skynest for more than six years.
The day this moves from mock-up to takeoff is coming soon, as the airline recently displayed a model of the Skynest in New York City, which we tested out firsthand.
TPG Tip: The bottom bunk, which is essentially at floor level, is nicer and cozier than you might think and requires no climbing to access. And the top is at least as hard to gracefully crawl into as you would imagine, but all were actually quite comfortable once you were nestled inside.
I am 5 feet, 7 inches and fit very comfortably, though a man at the media preview was 6 feet, 4 inches and was also able to fully stretch out, albeit with a much tighter fit. The airline shares that the bunks are 6 feet, 6 inches long, which should allow most passengers to lie all the way flat. There are also about 25 inches of width at the shoulders, though the space does taper as it reaches where your feet traditionally go.
The Skynest mattress felt comfortable, and I have no doubt that lying down in there and resting for a few hours is much better than sitting upright for 18 hours straight in economy.
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That said, as Skynest takes flight, I’m interested to see how private it feels when there are up to five other people resting at the same time. It will also be interesting to see how respectful other passengers will be of the Skynest’s rules, such as no eating, no playing audio without headphones, no shoes and trying to minimize getting in and out of the beds during the four-hour time block (as that would likely disturb others in there, given the tight space).
You will absolutely want to be prepared with noise-canceling headphones, earplugs and any other accouterments to counter nearby snoring bunkmates, given the snug quarters and the goal of napping.
The bunk beds each have a USB-A and C charging outlet, and passengers who book will be provided fresh linens, a pillow, a blanket, socks (no shoes allowed in the real thing) and a “Nestcessities” amenity kit that will contain an eye mask, socks, earplugs and skincare products by New Zealand brand Aotea, plus a dental kit.
At the end of your time block, the lights will brighten slowly, hopefully to wake you up gradually, though a flight attendant will come and tap you on the feet if the lights don’t do the trick to bring you back to reality … and your normal economy seat.
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SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Related reading: What it was like to fly 14 hours in a ‘couch’ in the sky
The Skynest beds will be located in the center of the economy section of the aircraft, in an area where a galley and a row of three seats would typically be found.
A block of time in the Skynest will be open to passengers ages 15 and up who are flying in either economy or premium economy. And flying bunk beds should be a real thing very soon as Air New Zealand plans to put tickets to book Skynest on sale on May 18, with the first flights taking to the sky in November 2026.
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